Learning About Stages of Development, Babies Born at 27 to 30 Weeks

Babies born at 27 to 30 weeks are still very early in their development. They may be small and need extra support to stay warm, grow, and rest. Every baby is different, but here are some things you may notice.

At this stage your baby may:

• Have a smaller body, which makes their head seem larger.
• Have less body fat.
• Still have thin, shiny skin. You may be able to see veins underneath. Skin becomes less translucent as your baby grows.
• Have fragile skin that bruises easily.
• Have fine hair (lanugo) on their back and shoulders.
• Get cold in normal temperatures.
• Spend most of the day sleeping.
• Begin opening their eyes more.
• Like being in a tucked position, as if they were inside your womb.
• Use facial expressions and body language to communicate with you.
• Have twitches, tremors, and changes in posture, breathing, heart rate, and color in response to stimulation.

You’re an important part of your baby’s care. And there are things you can do during this time to help your baby.

When your nurse says it's okay, you can help with diaper changes and other daily care. Being part of your baby's care helps both of you.

You can talk or read to your baby often. Your baby likes to hear your calm, soft, quiet voice. Otherwise, keep the room as quiet as you can.

When your doctor says it's okay, hold or touch your baby skin-to-skin. Your baby may get their best sleep while skin-to-skin. Gentle containment touch or head cradling is also soothing.

Your baby's eyes may be sensitive to light changes, so keep the lights low. You can also cover your baby’s eyes in direct light.

Your baby likes smelling you. Don't wear perfumes or colognes or use strong soap. Ask your nurse about using a scent cloth. This is a small cloth that you wear against your skin and then leave near your baby so they can smell you when you're not there.

When you're holding your baby, try swaddling them. This can be comforting and remind them of being in the womb.

Your baby may be making some sucking motions even though they are not ready for a bottle yet. Sucking can be soothing. When your nurse says it's okay, offer "non-nutritive" sucking at a dry breast or a pacifier when your baby is awake. Also do this when feedings begin to teach your baby about sucking and swallowing.

Pump your breast milk and save your early colostrum (the first form of breast milk). Give it to your neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse. Even small amounts can help protect your baby.